Turkish Handcrafted Textile Projects Preserve Tradition and Empower Women

At the Eskişehir Olgunlaşma Institute, master instructor İnci Öz is reviving the historic practice of hand‑embroidering Turkish flags for dowry chests. Using traditional sim sarma and pesent techniques on high‑quality satin with silver sequins, each flag is entirely handmade and requires 15‑20 days to complete. Öz noted, “When young girls began embroidery, the first piece they made was always the Turkish flag,” highlighting the cultural significance of the craft.

In Erzincan, a new textile workshop has been established inside a women’s prison with support from the Erzincan Chamber of Commerce and the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges. Female inmates receive practical training in sewing, cutting and production. The workshop’s output supplies public institutions, while the program aims to equip participants with marketable skills and economic independence after release.